novem ûndecim

we were a dynasty nation
my brothers and i were
i the old the eldest
and they the twin heirs
we were kings among paupers
and more than mere men
we were taller
we were stronger
we were loved
we were lovers
children grew in our shadows
a nation grew in our shadows
nothing grows now
now that my brothers are gone
i weep for their memories
and cry over their graves
i was meant to go first
they were the young
they were to inherit
i was not meant to outlive them
yet here i am
once a dynasty nation
now only an empire state